London Buses route E3
Encyclopedia
London Buses route E3 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London
, United Kingdom
. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest
.
area, the others being the E1
and E2
. It ran from Greenford
to Chiswick
via Hanwell
, West Ealing
, Northfields
, Popes Lane, Acton
and Turnham Green
, replacing part of the former route 55.
Like the E1 and E2, the E3 was initially operated using single-deck, MBS-class AEC Merlins
. These were stationed at both Hanwell (HL) and Turnham Green (V) garages. In 1975, the E1 and E2 were converted to double-deck operation, but a low railway bridge in Acton Lane, Acton meant that the E3 could not follow suit. Instead, the Merlins were replaced by shorter SMS-class AEC Swift
s, which in turn were replaced by LS-class Leyland National
s in 1978. Double-deck operation was eventually introduced in 1981, provided by the slightly lower MCW Metrobus
.
Turnham Green garage closed in 1980, its allocation transferring to the new Stamford Brook base nearby. This was withdrawn three years later, following which the E3 was entirely operated by Hanwell.
When London Buses Limited
split into eleven pre-privatisation
subsidiaries in late 1988, the E3 came under the operation of Centrewest. In 1990, the route was converted to minibus
operation using RW-class Renault
S75 / Wright Nimbus
es, marketed under the name of E-Line, and the long-closed Acton Tram Depot (AT) was re-opened to provide an allocation. In 1993, Hanwell garage closed, the RWs there transferring to Greenford (G).
Centrewest was privatised in 1994, and retained the E3 upon re-tender in May 1997, replacing the RWs with Dennis Dart SLF / Marshall Capital
s. From this point onwards, the route's entire allocation was stationed at Greenford.
On 25 May 2002, the E3 was converted back to double-deck operation using TN-class Dennis Trident 2
/ Plaxton President
s, after Centrewest had again retained the route upon re-tender. In May 2009, the TNs were replaced by brand-new Alexander Dennis Enviro400s.
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
contracted bus route in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest
First London
.First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. They did also run the Tramlink network, in a partnership with Tramtrack Croydon before June 2008. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London...
.
History
Route E3 was established on 30 November 1968 as one of three flat-fare routes in the EalingEaling
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
area, the others being the E1
London Buses route E1
London Buses route E1 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest.-History:...
and E2
London Buses route E2
London Buses route E2 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Metroline.-History:...
. It ran from Greenford
Greenford
Greenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of...
to Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
via Hanwell
Hanwell
Hanwell is a town situated in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, between Ealing and Southall. The motto of Hanwell Urban District Council was Nec Aspera Terrent...
, West Ealing
West Ealing
West Ealing is a place in the London Borough of Ealing in west London.-History:West Ealing in its present form is less than 100 years old....
, Northfields
Northfields tube station
Northfields is a London Underground station in Northfields, west London. The station is on the Heathrow branch of the Piccadilly Line, between Boston Manor and South Ealing stations...
, Popes Lane, Acton
Acton, London
Acton is a district of west London, England, located in the London Borough of Ealing. It is situated west of Charing Cross.At the time of the 2001 census, Acton, comprising the wards of East Acton, Acton Central, South Acton and Southfield, had a population of 53,689 people...
and Turnham Green
Turnham Green tube station
Turnham Green is a London Underground station in Chiswick in west London. The station is located on Turnham Green Terrace, but the actual green is much closer to Chiswick Park station. The station is served by the District and Piccadilly Lines although Piccadilly Line trains normally only stop at...
, replacing part of the former route 55.
Like the E1 and E2, the E3 was initially operated using single-deck, MBS-class AEC Merlins
AEC Swift
The AEC Swift was a rear-engined single-deck bus chassis built by AEC between 1964 and 1974. The chassis design was closely related to the Leyland Panther...
. These were stationed at both Hanwell (HL) and Turnham Green (V) garages. In 1975, the E1 and E2 were converted to double-deck operation, but a low railway bridge in Acton Lane, Acton meant that the E3 could not follow suit. Instead, the Merlins were replaced by shorter SMS-class AEC Swift
AEC Swift
The AEC Swift was a rear-engined single-deck bus chassis built by AEC between 1964 and 1974. The chassis design was closely related to the Leyland Panther...
s, which in turn were replaced by LS-class Leyland National
Leyland National
The Leyland National is a British single-deck bus built in large quantities between 1972 and 1985. It was developed as a joint project between two UK nationalised industries - the National Bus Company and British Leyland. Buses were constructed at a specially built factory at the Lillyhall...
s in 1978. Double-deck operation was eventually introduced in 1981, provided by the slightly lower MCW Metrobus
MCW Metrobus
The MCW Metrobus is a double decker bus model manufactured by MCW from 1977 until 1989, with over 4,000 examples built. The original MkI model was superseded by the MkII model in 1981/1982, although production of the original MkI continued for London Transport until 1985...
.
Turnham Green garage closed in 1980, its allocation transferring to the new Stamford Brook base nearby. This was withdrawn three years later, following which the E3 was entirely operated by Hanwell.
When London Buses Limited
London Buses
London Buses is the subsidiary of Transport for London that manages bus services within Greater London, UK. Buses are required to carry similar red colour schemes and conform to the same fare scheme...
split into eleven pre-privatisation
Privatisation of London bus services
The privatisation of London bus services was the progressive process of the transfer of operation of London Buses from public bodies to private companies....
subsidiaries in late 1988, the E3 came under the operation of Centrewest. In 1990, the route was converted to minibus
Minibus
A minibus or minicoach is a passenger carrying motor vehicle that is designed to carry more people than a multi-purpose vehicle or minivan, but fewer people than a full-size bus. In the United Kingdom, the word "minibus" is used to describe any full-sized passenger carrying van. Minibuses have a...
operation using RW-class Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
S75 / Wright Nimbus
Wright Nimbus
The Wright Nimbus was a minibus body manufacturered by Wrightbus. It was built on Mercedes-Benz T2 and Renault S75 van derived chassis. The Nimbus has since became relatively rare as the Mercedes-Benz 709D with a Plaxton Beaver or Alexander ALX100 body was more popular during its tenure in the...
es, marketed under the name of E-Line, and the long-closed Acton Tram Depot (AT) was re-opened to provide an allocation. In 1993, Hanwell garage closed, the RWs there transferring to Greenford (G).
Centrewest was privatised in 1994, and retained the E3 upon re-tender in May 1997, replacing the RWs with Dennis Dart SLF / Marshall Capital
Marshall Capital
The Marshall Capital was a single-decker bus body built by Marshall between 1997 and 2003. It was typically placed on the Dennis Dart SLF chassis, but it was also built on other chassis and used to rebody older chassis....
s. From this point onwards, the route's entire allocation was stationed at Greenford.
On 25 May 2002, the E3 was converted back to double-deck operation using TN-class Dennis Trident 2
Dennis Trident 2
Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow...
/ Plaxton President
Plaxton President
The Plaxton President was a double-decker bus body built at Northern Counties plant in Wigan, England and branded as a Plaxton product for its main production run. It was unveiled in 1997 and built between 1999 and 2005. When Plaxton became part of TransBus International, the body was sold under...
s, after Centrewest had again retained the route upon re-tender. In May 2009, the TNs were replaced by brand-new Alexander Dennis Enviro400s.
Current route
- GreenfordGreenfordGreenford is a large suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, UK. It was historically an ancient parish in the former county of Middlesex. The most prominent landmarks in the suburb are the A40, a major dual-carriageway; Horsenden Hill, above sea level; the small Parish Church of...
Red Lion - Hanwell StationHanwell railway stationHanwell railway station is a railway station in Hanwell in the London Borough of Ealing. The station is managed by First Great Western but served by local services operated by Heathrow Connect from London to Heathrow Airport.-History:...
- Hanwell BroadwayHanwellHanwell is a town situated in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, between Ealing and Southall. The motto of Hanwell Urban District Council was Nec Aspera Terrent...
- West Ealing BroadwayWest EalingWest Ealing is a place in the London Borough of Ealing in west London.-History:West Ealing in its present form is less than 100 years old....
- Northfields StationNorthfields tube stationNorthfields is a London Underground station in Northfields, west London. The station is on the Heathrow branch of the Piccadilly Line, between Boston Manor and South Ealing stations...
- Acton Town StationActon Town tube stationActon Town is a London Underground station in Acton, west London, served by the Piccadilly and District lines. The station is at the junction of Gunnersbury Lane and Bollo Lane and is in Travelcard Zone 3.-Services:...
- ActonActon, LondonActon is a district of west London, England, located in the London Borough of Ealing. It is situated west of Charing Cross.At the time of the 2001 census, Acton, comprising the wards of East Acton, Acton Central, South Acton and Southfield, had a population of 53,689 people...
High Street - Turnham Green StationTurnham Green tube stationTurnham Green is a London Underground station in Chiswick in west London. The station is located on Turnham Green Terrace, but the actual green is much closer to Chiswick Park station. The station is served by the District and Piccadilly Lines although Piccadilly Line trains normally only stop at...
- Chiswick StationChiswick railway stationChiswick railway station serves the Chiswick area in the London Borough of Hounslow, in west London, and is in Travelcard Zone 3. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by South West Trains. Chiswick station is located approximately 15 minutes walk away from Gunnersbury station and...
- ChiswickChiswickChiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
Edensor Road